drain cash

USAGE SUMMARY

"drain cash" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to use or spend a large amount of money, usually in a negative or wasteful way. Example: The extravagant party drained all of our cash reserves, leaving us with very little money for the rest of the month.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

For one, Sears has hefty pension and retirement burdens, which will continue to drain cash.

The New York Times

It's a costly accounting strategy that may drain cash, leaving firms more vulnerable to the economic turmoil.

The New York Times

On the other, a long fight could drain cash and energy that Mr McCain will need to fight the general election.

The Economist

When a private equity firm recoups up front much of its investment through hefty management fees and upfront dividends, they drain cash and cease to have the same "skin in the game".

The New York Times

In June American authorities issued charges against the Russian mastermind behind the GameOver Zeus botnet, a sophisticated piece of malware that steals login details for people's bank accounts from infected computers and uses them to drain cash from their accounts.

The Economist

The move has fostered resentment among some ski resort employees, whose bonuses have been cut and whose stock options remain worthless as underperforming acquisitions drain cash from Vail's profitable ski operation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Worryingly, the European Central Bank has been draining cash from euro-area markets.

The Economist

In the meantime, the primary battle between Mr. Romney and his rivals continues, draining cash for all of them.

The New York Times

More than anything else, an inflated payroll drained cash from the company and kept us from making a profit.

The New York Times

In addition to cutting the 22,000 jobs, it has divested itself of many businesses that were draining cash.

The New York Times

This week, in an apparent bid to clamp down on inflation risks, the central bank drained cash from the financial system, causing money market rates to rise sharply.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "drain cash", consider specifying the cause or reason for the cash depletion to provide more context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "drain cash" without indicating what is causing the depletion. Providing context enhances the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "drain cash" functions primarily as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to describe the action of using or spending a substantial amount of money, often in a negative or wasteful way. It signifies the depletion of financial resources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "drain cash" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes the process of using or spending a large amount of money, often with negative connotations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent appearance in various contexts. It is most often found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings, indicating its relevance in financial discussions. To enhance clarity, consider specifying the cause or reason for the cash depletion. Related phrases like "deplete funds" or "exhaust cash reserves" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deplete funds

Focuses on the action of reducing funds without specifying the method.

deplete financial resources

Similar to "deplete funds" but highlights the broader scope of resources affected.

exhaust cash reserves

Emphasizes the complete consumption of available cash.

bleed money

Suggests a slow, continuous loss of money.

expend funds rapidly

Focuses on the speed at which money is spent.

use up capital

Highlights the consumption of capital assets.

consume financial assets

Similar to 'use up capital' but with emphasis on financial aspect.

dissipate wealth

Suggests a wasteful or careless depletion of wealth.

liquidate assets

Involves converting assets into cash, often due to financial strain.

spend heavily

Describes substantial spending, potentially leading to cash depletion.

FAQs

How can I use "drain cash" in a sentence?

You can use "drain cash" to describe something that is using a lot of money. For example: "The new project is expected to "drain cash" reserves quickly".

What can I say instead of "drain cash"?

You can use alternatives like "deplete funds", "exhaust cash reserves", or "bleed money" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "drain cash" or "draining cash"?

"Drain cash" is typically used as a verb phrase, while "draining cash" is used as a gerund or present participle, often to describe an ongoing process. Both are correct in different contexts.

What's the difference between "drain cash" and "empty cash reserves"?

"Drain cash" implies a gradual or significant reduction of cash, while "empty cash reserves" suggests a complete depletion of available cash. The former is a process, and the latter is a result.